Q&A: CJ Daniels talks transfer, LSU offense

On Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s leadership on the road…

“That’s something I already knew about him. Me, coming in January, established a relationship. From him, I’ve seen the maturity. I’ve seen the type of guy he is on and off the field. I think that just resembles his play.”

On Nussmeier influencing his transfer decision from Liberty to LSU…

“It played a big part. When I was in the portal and deciding where I would go, he (direct messaged) me and was like, ‘come on man, let’s make it happen.’ So, just him doing that shows the type of guy he is, willing to build relationships. That definitely played a big part in me coming.”

On the offensive line’s strength impacting his decision to transfer…

“Definitely, I found out that LSU had all their offensive linemen coming back…knowing that Nuss is going to have the time to deliver the pass to his receivers. Having this o-line definitely played a big part in me being here.”

On his role in the offense…

“There’s nothing really that I can say that I have not done. I’ve been everywhere, as far as blocking, as far as making plays when needed to, and I think that’s just the type of player I am. I’m very unselfish, and willing to do whatever job it takes to win.”

On the balance of the offense…

“It definitely exciting, seeing different players touch the ball at different moments and giving us spurts. I think that just correlates to just having fun as a team. It’s like a contagious infection on the team, just seeing somebody else make a play makes you want to make a play.”

On the offensive line’s role in the passing game..

“It’s just trust. They’ve been doing it since before I got here. It’s trusting those guys and those guys trusting us. It goes hand in hand.”

The LSU’s rushing success in South Carolina…

“Honestly, I think it’s more of a want to. Just us being grimy from the offensive line to the receivers. Us wanting to block. Us wanting to open up holes. Us wanting to create explosive plays. I think that mindset kind of flipped because we weren’t very successful as this last game.”

On receivers blocking in the running game…

“Our mentality is to not let our man make the play. If we spring runs, that’s only going to open up the passing game. So, I think it goes hand in hand, and we just have to execute these plays in practice. In the game it just comes a little easier, because we’ve seen it all week…I also think it’s a want to.”

On playing in front of larger crowds than at Liberty…

“It’s definitely different, but being on the field, I’m locked in on the field. The crowd really doesn’t phase me a bit. It’s definitely intense. I like the atmosphere. I like not hearing the quarterback when he calls plays. It’s definitely a very fun environment.”